Jermaine Grace was Miami’s leading tackler in 2015 before being dismissed in a rental car scandal. Grace had 79 tackles while runner-up Juwon Young who was also dismissed had 57. He also had six tackles for loss and five passes defended in 2015.
Grace has shown an ability to shine on special teams. He racked up eight tackles as a freshman in 2013 and nine as a sophomore in 2014.
Grace is undersized at 5’11 209 pounds. That and his lack of instincts are what could hinder him making an NFL roster per his NFL.Com draft profile. He is built more like a safety than a linebacker.
His strength is his speed. He did not play safety in college but with a 4.5 40 time, he might be able to be converted.
Grace is trying to make a roster of a defense that will be noted for its Super Bowl collapse but struggled all last season. The Falcons finished 27th in points allowed and 25th in yards allowed last season.
Grace is likely to have an uphill battle making the team. The Falcons drafted LSU linebacker Duke Riley in the third round and went defense on two other picks.